Thailand Post sees growth in e-commerce

World Cup campaign also planned

The growth of e-commerce and the upcoming Fifa World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil are tipped to be the main contributors to Thailand Post Co's revenue growth this year.

Thailand Post expects 10-per-cent growth in the number of items it will deliver through e-commerce channels.

Last year it delivered 91 million pieces, and 82 million in 2012.

In mid-2014 it will join Thai Rath newspaper to launch a campaign of lucky draws to speculate on who will win the World Cup.

Thailand Post expects revenue of Bt400 million from the sale of postcards from this campaign.

This year it has forecast total revenue of Bt20.6 billion, or 6.38-per-cent growth from Bt19.3 billion last year.

Last year's revenue figure was its highest since its establishment in 2003.

It expects a profit of Bt1.7 billion this year, or 35.9 per cent year-on-year growth.

Of total revenue last year, Bt8.6 billion was from postal services, which include mail and stamps services, followed by logistic services at Bt8.1billion. The revenue from postal services is expected to reach Bt9.4 billion while logistics revenue is forecast to be Bt8.6 billion.

Thailand Post president Anusara Chittmittrapap said it would launch a new subsidiary, Thailand Post Distribution, in the second quarter to provide a delivery service to corporate customers.

"Our strength is we have the biggest network in distribution and logistics nationwide, so we're setting up a new company to serve logistics, warehouse and distribution services by targeting corporate companies nationwide," she said.

The Cabinet approved the subsidiary's formation with registered capital of Bt350 million on January 9.

The subsidiary also aims to serve the growth of logistics across the Asean Economic Community.

On Monday Thailand Post will launch a new parcel-delivery service, focusing on small packages that will be sold at 7-Eleven convenience stores. The service will be run on a trial basis at 24 7-Eleven stores, mostly in Bangkok, with parcels costing Bt109, Bt139 and Bt199.

Users can buy parcels and fill them without having to weigh them, and leave them at 7-Eleven for collection.